Agriculture

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently highlighted the Iowa Water Quality Initiative 2016 Legislative Report during his presentation to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We continue to see engagement and investment in water quality efforts and it is exciting to see the progress that is being made. Thanks to the support we have received from the Governor and Legislature the Iowa Water Quality Initiative continues to expand and work with additional farmers. This report provides an update on the initiative to legislators and outlines our request for the next fiscal year,” Northey said.

Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN) is currently accepting applications for its 2016 female farmer mentoring program, Harvesting Our Potential. This is a program that helps train women to become farmers by giving them the opportunity to work on farms with women who are already successful farmers.
Mentees work directly with a farmer instructor to gain hands-on experience. Most mentorships will last around 10 weeks and take place any time within the growing season, whenever it works best for mentor and mentee.
Those interested in being a part of the 2016 program as either a mentor or a mentee may fill out an application form found under the News link on the WFAN webste, www.wfan.org. The program has the ability to support 10 pairs of farmers. The application deadline has been extended to February 19.

The 120th annual meeting of Calhoun Coop Creamery, Lansing was held at the Vet’s Club in Waukon Tuesday, January 26. A noon meal was served to all by BE Catered of Waukon.
President Dave Bahr called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m. At the conclusion of the business meeting quality awards were handed out to the following producers:
First place low bacteria award went to Mike and Kris Banse of Eitzen, MN. There was a tie for second place going to Dave and Rhonda Bahr of Waukon and Greg and Jenny Conway of Lansing. There were 36 other producers receiving outstanding quality awards.
First place low somatic cell award went to Jerry Egan of Harpers Ferry. There were 20 other producers receiving outstanding somatic cell awards with averages under 175,000 for the year.

Submitted by Sara Berges
Allamakee SWCD Project Coordinator

With conversations increasingly revolving around water quality, conservation and soil health, Iowa Corn Growers Association gave farmers the opportunity to learn from other farmers at a recent panel discussion. The event was held at Iowa State University and also offered via live streaming.  
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey who moderated the discussion and spoke to the audience about the progress that has been made since introducing the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy three years ago.
 “We’re very proud of what farmers across the state are doing when it comes to conservation and water quality,” said Northey. “We’ve seen a lot of interest and adoption of cover crops because of the water quality benefits, and also because farmers see the long-term value that they have on soil quality.”

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be February 11, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminders
February 15: Office Closed for Presidents Day
February 26: Deadline for General CRP program

Changing Bank Accounts
All FSA payments should be electronically transferred into your bank account. In order to make timely payments, you need to notify the office if you close your account or if your bank is purchased by another financial institution. Payments can be delayed if we are not aware of changes to account and routing numbers.

Iowa State University (ISU) Allamakee County Extension and Outreach will offer the Commercial Ag Weed, Insect and Plant Disease Management Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Tuesday, February 9. The program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).
The local attendance site is 218 Seventh Avenue SE in Waukon. Registration begins at 12:45 p.m., and the course runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Allamakee County by phoning 563-568-6345.

Groups promoting fruits and vegetables, nuts and flowers encouraged to comment on program priorities, consider applying for funds

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be February 11, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office conference room located in Waukon.

New General CRP Signup
December 1, 2015, through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP signup. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP signup 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring on September 30, 2016, may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP signup 49 will become effective on October 1, 2016.
Do not wait until February 26, 2016 deadline, due to determining eligibility per crop history and other steps in the CRP signup process.

During the recent Swiss Valley Farms annual district meetings, Swiss Valley Farms Dairy Cooperative celebrated its Blue Ribbon Milk Quality Awards program by presenting awards to co-op members. The program began in 1973 to honor co-op members who produce quality milk and meet strict quality standards every day, all year long. At the District 8 meeting in Postville, Brent Garbes and Jerry Gibson & Sons of Waukon were recognized with 23-Year Milk Quality Awards. Pictured here, left to right, are Brent and Maggie Garbes, and Jerry Gibson. Submitted photo.